I was in the shop yesterday and I saw GREEN hair dye! I couldn't help but laugh... there you go Anne, it wasn't a disaster you were just ahead of your time!
The world turned September the date insignificant to the inhabitants of Avonlea, all that is but two.
To the untrained eye the two looked to be akin to the other occupants of the small village and just like others found nooks and secret places even within that small 5 mile radius which was considered Avonlea. But those folks who stayed in Avonlea would tell you that neither of the occupants had lived in Avonlea full time in five years, they were stock of Avonlea but their flighty academic lives had taken them away from the place both of them considered home.
These two occupants however knew forever the significance of the date. For one year ago to the exact date they had rediscovered each other, today was the anniversary of their happiness.
The man, who five years ago had lead the women sitting beside him now, boyishly by the hand to this particular hiding place, as far as he knew they were still the only ones who knew of it, she had shown him pixies orchard feeding for the soul, he had shown her this lone apple between the pines and beaches, this was food for the body. He had that day five years ago treated the said women as a woodland queen, had sat her down on the same tree trunk they now shared, he had climbed the tree and they had feasted on the sweet fruit it held, a fruit only they had tasted. She was a girl and he was a boy, they rambled the woods as children laughing and discovering new nooks and hiding places. He should have known better at 20 years old. His own emotions were stirring in him for his female accomplice.
"Let's go back around the marsh and home by way of Lover's Lane. Do you feel as disgruntled now as when you started out, Anne?" He had asked
"Not I. Those apples have been as manna to a hungry soul. I feel that I shall love Redmond and have a splendid four years there."
"And after those four years—what?"
He had sincerely wished he could be part of those plans. He worked and toiled trying to repress those emotions then he proposed. She was the right person just not at the right time. She wasn't quite ready.
It had been five years since that day, the same couple came to the same spot as if nothing had changed but this time there was a notable difference. Their hands held not in comradeship but clasped in a lovers hold. They held each other in a close grasp. The females throne was now her fiancés lap, their position reflecting the intimacy the two now shared as they shared intimate kisses.
"I can't believe it's been a year!" He smiled into her as he said it " it feels like yesterday."
He hugged her into him. Not waiting for an answer.
" and forever too we still have two more years before we wed." She told him.
"I know. But you know it's not that long to wait... two years into college I proposed, didn't it feel as though we had just started?" he countered.
" do you ever get impatient Gilbert Blythe?" she laughed.
" are you bring serious? I can be very impatient. That's why I pulled your hair and called you carrots! I was just being impatient."
" you were thirteen!" she defended the younger Gilbert.
"I wanted your attention. No one had ever ignored me before." He said his pet lip coming out.
"awww poor Gil." She said then massaged his protruded lip with her own lips. " have I made up for it yet?" she questioned.
"oh for that day absolutely." He smiled.
" that day?" she questioned.
" well you didn't talk to me for four years, then let's not forget those two years at Redmond we never really talked again did we?" he teased.
Anne smiled knowing he was teasing. " well I'll just have to make up for it now won't I?" she flirted.
" Oh yes please!" He said with a smile. The drew in again for another kiss.
Part way through the kiss Anne felt a giggle start to rise, she couldn't help it she pulled back and a full on giggling attack came on. First off Gilbert was bewildered. " why are you laughing?" he asked " what in my ministrations to you was humorous?"
" Oh what would she say?" Anne giggled.
" who?" Gilbert said completely in the dark as to what was happening.
" me, that me! The one which broke that slate over your head." He managed between her giggles.
Gilbert broke into a wide smile then joined in the laughing. " Gilbert Blythe? Him?" He mocked.
" Oh she would be at a loss as to how." Anne paused " silly little thing! Oh what I would tell her!" she reprimanded herself smiling at the thought. " what about the Gilbert?" she said looking at him.
" well in the seconds before you broke the slate over his head he would swagger confidently saying he could get any girl he wished to get." He paused " then after he knew the little red head was unobtainable to him..," he shivered and his eyes darken with desire " made him want her more."
She bit her lip " that wasn't the intent," she told him. " what did not talking to you do?" she asked pretty sure she knew the answer. His face blushed "oh?" she questioned.
"I couldn't help it! You did strange things to me Anne Shirley." Kissing into her neck thanking the stars that Anne was following the current fashionable trend of collarless tops and dresses.
Her eyes rolled back her head slowly moved to give him the access needed to continue his kissing, his arms rubbing round her middle. "I love you." She managed to say.
"I love you too." He said snuggling in further. " year two!" He exclaimed. "a second year medical student! Hardly seems real! All my dreams are coming true!"
" and what dreams they are!" she exclaimed. "I want them too you know that don't you?" she asked him.
" I'm just glad you came to realise it." He smiled. He looked around " it'll be twilight soon, we better get you back." He said.
" Oh can we wait and watch twilight come upon us!" she exclaimed. " and watch the moonlight rise, isn't it romantic Gilbert? Moonlight? For it is moonlight and not just moonshine when I have you, oh please?" she cuddled in knowing he wouldn't resist.
" okay." He said quietly. "I suppose it won't hurt just once to have you back late." He smiled.
This year he knew it was useless and he was glad, this year Anne sat beside him in the train station waiting for the train with him early morning four days before term started. Hand in hand they waited and watched the world go by. The train on the other platform was dropping off the passages they saw Josie Pye come off the train. Upon seeing her two classmates she seized the opportunity she grabbed her companions hand and made her way across to them.
" Josie," Anne acknowledged. " why it's been so long! How are you?" she asked sincerely. Despite Josie's sour history with Anne and Gilbert they were genuine in their interest, it was always nice to see an old face.
" well I'm just fine, what are you two doing here?" she asked both politely and with the hint of disdain.
" we came home for the summer Josie." Gilbert said. " Anne is just seeing me off to school again. Before she goes and prepares for a new school year."
" Oh that's right you academic minds always wandering the earth, makes for a long engagement, you best not leave it too long Gilbert she'll be all dried up before you get to her."
Anne (and Josie's companion both) blushed at the comment Gilbert seemed undeterred " is only another two years Josie, that hardly makes us old."
" two years? Well something has to be said for long engagements I suppose, but those that really love each other want to marry as soon as possible." She said dismissively.
" Josie?" her companion started surprised at her tone and words
" what is it you want to be again Gilbert? A lawyer? An accountant?"
"a doctor Josie, a doctor I'm at medical school." Gilbert said, was she trying to be as ignorant as possible? He wondered.
" really?" Her companion queued.
"oh that's right, you've never met, John Milton, these are some school friends of mine, Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley. Gilbert and I grew up together Anne joined us from an ORPHANAGE when we were 14?" she asked falsely.
" eleven Josie, eleven." Anne corrected.
Josie appeared to ignore the statement " I've been in St John over the summer visiting my uncle who lives there, where fate would have it I met John there. We're engaged, the wedding is planned for December."
Anne and Gilbert were both in shock a little but hid it well from Josie. She was expecting a shock reaction, she had only written to her parents to let them know, they hadn't even met him yet.
" congratulations!" Gilbert managed shaking his hand. Half glad that maybe now Josie wouldn't be so sour toward Anne and he.
Wait what did he say? He should be jealous! Josie thought
" thank you." John said quietly. " it's been quite a whirlwind." He admitted. " so you're training to be a doctor?!" He asked interested.
" yes." Gilbert replied " I'm entering my second year."
" well that's tremendous! What's your speciality?" he asked " have you chosen yet?"
" we do that later this year, whatever we choose we have to do a dissertation on it, build evidence... write portfolios... I'm tending towards surgical, I'd like to think I could specialise in it." He smiled.
" and an engaged man, you must be busy!" He smiled and turned his attention to Anne "and Josie said you are preparing for a school year Anne, you're not at medical school too are you?" he asked.
" no." Anne smiled with a laugh. "I don't have the... patience." She joked at the double meaning. John likewise returned a chuckle. " I'm principal at summerside high school." She confirmed.
" wow! Really? Aren't you quite young for that?" he asked.
She smiled " thank you but I was a teacher for two years before I attended Redmond."
"ah! So you have a BA? Well you're quite accomplished in you're own right..."
He gave a glance to Gilbert before Josie cut in half furious that Anne was somehow getting all the attention! She was the one getting married in under three months, she had accomplished more in the past two months than Anne had in 5 years! " so it will always be with these academic sort."
John looked to her confused as to why when she had introduced them was she now being so rude. "I'm a farm lad myself. Fraid I never liked school much, but I reckon it's enough to support..."
" Oh John is being modest, HIS farm is twice the size of even your farm Gil, but I suppose most of that has been sold off to help with YOUR medical courses, not even that scholarship would support ALL of your course."
Gilbert was mortified! What a thing to bring up! He felt guilty as it was all his parents did for him.
" well no doubt if one of our wee ones decided in being a doctor we would support them too, it's only natural." John couldn't understand what was wrong with Josie, she had never behaved before. "I bet it's hard work." He said asking Gilbert.
" yes it is but I do my best." He said meekly.
" well where do you rank in your class?" John asked him.
Gilbert blushed. " Oh, well first actually." He admitted quietly.
" Gilbert really couldn't stand to be anything but the best at everything, it must have been frustrating to have ANNE beat you so many times," Josie said with a false laugh. " pair of brain boxes!"
" Oh then i take it is a good degree you have as well then Anne?" he asked.
" highest honors in English." Anne admitted.
" well I'd love to be a fly on the wall in your house!" He exclaimed. " you two must have some really lively conversations!"
" yes we do." Gilbert said with a proud look on his face.
" say is your train coming Gilbert? Best leave them to say their goodbyes John, we certainly don't want to be witness to any public displays of affection." Josie strained
John even more confused at her statement now, Josie had dragged him off left right and centre for public displays of affection. He was no prude there was nothing more natural than a lovers goodbye. " it's nice to have met you both." He said politely before being dragged away by Josie.
" nice to see you again Josie." Anne said in a sweet voice.
As soon as the pair was out of sight Anne and Gilbert rolled their eyes. Gilbert now put an arm around Anne's back. " thank you for rescuing me from THAT sort of fate!"
" well I'm sure Josie will make such a sweet little wife." She laughed now holding Gilbert back.
"urgh!" Gilbert exclaimed. " can you imagine?" he asked.
" do you think we should have warned him? What he was truly marrying?" she asked.
" he wouldn't listen if he loved her, I didn't listen to anyone remember?" he said gazing at her.
"oh? What do they say about me?!" she exclaimed.
" she's the academic sort" he said on a high voice " She won't be loyal" in a deeper voice " SHE won't make a good wife" each voice he put on he made sure sounded more and more ridiculous then the last. She wasn't surprised, not at all, she couldn't blame anyone for thinking it. "I don't think it. I never could. You are exactly what I've always wanted." He reassured her. They kissed gently.
"I know," she said, " we'll show them." She gazed into his eyes " I'm going to miss you." She said as the train came to a holt.
He wrapped himself around her bringing her in for a hug. " I'll miss you too my love." He whispered " my Anne." He took his suitcases and placed them in the train, Anne helping him with it. When they were finished he sighed heavily "I hate this part." Hugging her again.
Anne looked down towards the floor. When he raised her face he saw tears coming from her eyes.
"I feel as though I'm losing you all over again." She told him quietly.
" Oh my sweet Anne!" He said holding her in, "I am all yours, you know that." He said to her. " how about I make a promise to read your letters on OUR pavilion by the shore. Won't that be romantic?" he asked her.
She smiled at the memory. Oh those kisses! Their pavilion... yes it was! it was theirs! It Made her heart race. " it'll make it even more sacred to us." She smiled.
" perfectly," he leaned into her and kissed her gently. "I love you." He told her. Wiping her tears away.
"I love you too," she smiled.
This time he leaned in he gave her the kind of kiss when seen in public got people talking!
"I...I... I have to go!" He says breathlessly pulling his mouth away from her. "I promise my first letter will be..."
" all aboard!" The conductor called.
He kissed her again for THAT kind of kiss then quickly untangled himself and jumped on the train.
"I love you!" Anne called to him.
"I love you too Anne!" He called to her as the final whistle blew. Anne did her best smile as he ran through the train to find and seat and sat by the window he put his hand to the window, Anne reached up and held her hand to the same spot. She kept it there as long as she could before the train started to move. They then waved until they couldn't see each other anymore.
Little did either Anne or Gilbert know they were being watched as Josie and John sat on the buggy. John had asked her outright what her problem was, which had delayed their departure as she had refused to answer. So she had seen the entire romantic exchange between Anne and Gilbert. They appeared happy and in love as ever! How could they be?! How dare they be! How did her revelation not put a wedge between them, she turned in her seat and hugged into John a little closer. She would show THEM what it meant to be happy.